Chevrolet Aveo Sedan Thai CBU

Malaysian Chevrolet distributor Hicomobil has plans to launch the new Chevrolet Aveo Sedan here in Malaysia in September 2006, so I thought I’d give you guys a little preview of the car based on the version they are selling in India. The Chevrolet Aveo Sedan was launched in the Indian market in February and is assembled in GM’s plant in Halol. GM hopes to sell 14,000 Chevrolet Aveo Sedans this year, with future targets of about 20,000 units a year.

Our Chevrolet Aveo Sedan will likely come in CBU form from Thailand until Hicomobil can get their CKD operations up and running. The Chevrolet Aveo Sedan was designed by Italdesign Giugiaro Design Studio and GM’s global engineering team using their Virtual Reality Design Center. It will be manufactured for this region at GM’s plant in Thailand’s Rayong Province.

More details on the car after the jump.

The Chevrolet Aveo Sedan, basically a Daewoo Gentra with a Chevy badge is a small sedan much like the Honda City and the Toyota Vios. Sharing it’s older brother Optra’s muscular lines and flared wheel arches, it looks somewhat like a more manly Toyota Vios. There are some nice touches that make the car look more upmarket than it really is, like it’s chrome grile.

In the Indian market, the car comes with two engine options, a 1.4 litre DOHC making 94ps and 127Nm of torque, and a top of the line 1.6 litre DOHC model making 102hp and 147Nm of torque. Not too shabby for a car with a 1095kg kerb weight. Brakes are discs at the front, with self adjusting drums at the rear. Both engines are of the E-TEC II series, featuring variable geometry intake system. At low engine speeds, the speed of airflow is increased by directing air through a longer path, while at higher engine speeds the intake air is directed through shorter paths so that more air can enter. The engine also has hydraulic engine mountings for better NVH quality. Suspension is torsion beam at the rear and the all familiar MacPherson struts at the front. Shock absorbers are gas-filled.

The higher end models have an integrated 2-DIN CD player with MP3 support. The interior doesn’t look too bad, although we will have to wait and see the actual car inself to see how the build quality is. The steering wheel is a four spoke, giving it a slightly more upmarket feel. The automatic version even has a gated shift. I get the overall impression that this is a budget vehicle but Chevrolet has taken the trouble to give you the illusion that it’s a class above what it really is. It’s a nice touch, some might appreciate this. I do, for one.

That’s it for now. We’ll know the Malaysian specifications when we see the car in September 2006, assuming Hicomobil’s plans go well.

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.

They will need to price it below current Honda City iDSI and Toyota Vios 1.5E in order to generate interest – especially since both these cars have 15km/litre proven (practical mixed driving) consumption rate; something that most Malaysians are looking for nowadays.

actually dont worry bout these budget cars just add 3000 aud and get a base 1.8 civic. get about the same levels of equipment,safety and fuel consumption. also better comfort and reliability and resale value. you make back the extra money you pay when the time comes to sell it. thanks to the civic and also the yaris and swift, the jazz isnt retaining its value that well anymore.

the new Aveo Sedan looks more a credible contender against City and Vios. The current batch of korean car has a reputation of fuel gulper so this one better be good. Pice will be a factor for its success here.

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